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One remarkable woman!

by Rachel

Picture of Antonette and Chicago Tribune Charities adWe often see Easter Seals in the news, but it’s not every day one of our own staffers snags a full-page color ad in the Chicago Tribune!

To encourage people to find out more about the Chicago Tribune Charities “$100 Million Celebration” campaign, they are featuring Antonette Hernandez and her remarkable story of overcoming adversity brought on by addiction. From the full page ad :

“I can’t describe the pain of trying to do better and being unable to,” says Antonette, looking back at those wasted years. “I did a lot of things I wasn’t proud of, including not raising my children.”

But her family didn’t give up on Antonette. And Antonette decided to stop giving up on herself.

The story describes Antonette’s decision to take part in Inspiration Corporation’s four-week employment preparation training program.

“It was a very, very cold winter and I remember taking the bus and I would always have a little frost bite from waiting. But I remember telling myself I can do this,” says Antonette.

Once she graduated, Antonette found a job here at Easter Seals Headquarters as Administrative Assistant for the Senior Community Service Employment Program. She’s paying it forward by empowering low-income older workers and helping them target and achieve personal employment goals. Antonette also serves on the Board of Directors for Inspiration Corporation, one of the nonprofits funded by the Tribune Charities and the organization where she received employment services support that eventually led to her position here. Again from the story :

There, she strives to provide insights and help to those in need, and keep them from avoiding her mistakes.

Antonette is also part of her children’s lives again. She now believes in herself. And she takes comfort in knowing her family believes in her, too.

You can read the entire story about Antonette on the web or watch it on YouTube. I love how her story comes full circle: someone helped Antonette when she was in need and now she is able to be that source of hope for others. She is truly an inspiration to us all!


 

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  1. Patricia Wright Says:

    July 12th, 2012 at 11:24 am

    Indeed Antonette is REMARKABLE. Feel so fortunate to have her as a colleague here at Easter Seals.